The order index for Italian textile machinery carried out by ACIMIT for January-March 2019 period dropped by 3 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. Italian textile machinery manufacturers recorded declining orders on foreign markets, where orders fell by 11 per cent. This slowdown is a result of a deep rooted feeling of uncertainty currently permeating the global economy.
On the domestic front, orders increased by 84 per cent compared to the first quarter 2018. Investments in the textile sector have benefitted from the push towards a greater degree of digitalisation in production processes, thanks to the fiscal incentives. As per ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi, Italy’s domestic market is experiencing a dynamic showing similar to late 2017. Investments in the textile sector have benefitted from the push towards a greater degree of digitalization in production processes, thanks to the fiscal incentives. However, foreign markets, slowdown is a result of a deep rooted feeling of uncertainty currently permeating the global economy with multiple pressures on global trade in different geographical areas.
“We had already predicted a slowdown for early 2019, in line with what was observed in 2018,” concludes Zucchi. “The entire sector is waiting to see what happens at ITMA, the leading world trade fair for our sector, which will be held in Barcelona this coming 20 – 26 June. There will verify whether a recovery is effectively under way in global demand for textile machinery.”
